WASHINGTON — The forecast for much of the country Aug. 21 is partly sunny, but that’s not due to any cloud cover.

Blame it on the moon.

As you might have heard, a total solar eclipse will make for an eventful afternoon in the skies above North America.

Here in the D.C. area, the sun will be about 75 percent obscured. And within a narrow band of the U.S. — from Newport, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina — the sun will be completely obscured at one point.

But what exactly happens during a solar eclipse, anyway? The scientific explanation, thank goodness, has nothing to do with the apocalyptic myths of ancient civilizations.

Check out the brief video below for an explanation of what will happen — and rest assured that the world is not ending.